I never wore boots, nor have a coat, nor seen snow. Then I got a job in lovely Red Lake, Canada and decided to accept it, not knowing that -35 is quite cold!

I was still eating light foods like people normally do in a tropical country like Guatemala and I found myself very cold all the time since I was not used to the weather at all.

Now I am in living in England where the weather is milder. I support people that settle here and how to get used to the seasons specially winter.

I spend 9 months of winter in Northern Ontario and it was very cold steady weather, however, British weather is totally changeable and unpredictable. One day warm the next day cold. Today we woke up with 5 degrees and sunshine. I am feeling the cold today brrr.

I learned the hard way that this changeable weather is when you get cold. It is very important to keep warm to avoid breathing and other problems.

If your home is bellow 15C it is too cold for small children, babies and other vulnerable people. If you are not moving much and are tired this will also affect your health.

​At 12 degrees Celsius there is a risk of heart attack and stroke. So Please get yourself an indoor thermometer and check that it is 18 - 21 C.​

Changeable weather cartoon by J Cole.

Photo by CrossFit Roackwall.

​Move around! it is amazing how cold you can get when you are not used to the winter. Sometimes a quick walk or just going up and down the stairs will lift your body temperature and give it time. The first year is always the most challenging. Your body will get use a bit more to it with time. Think how the Emperor penguin keeps moving to keep warm.

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I never imagined that ice fishing could be so much fun!

Eat more carbs in winter: I was really cold because I was eating like I was still living in Guatemala.

You cannot get enough calories eating yogurt and fruits like you do in hot countries. So, get a hearty meal and watch out for the calories. Hearty does not mean caloric.

​Food is a vital source of energy, which helps keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can. (from NHS Live well)​​

Author

Born in Guatemala and studied in Brazil. Started CS in 2006 and became a citizen of the world. Knows Spanish, English and Portuguese. Learning Italian now. Wants to Latin Zest into the Southwest trough events, volunteering, fundraising and seminars about Guatemala.